Cecily wasn’t sure if this comment came from a place of kindness or spite, but in the end, she followed him all the way back home.
Greta had headed out this morning, but Sewell should still be at home. Cecily’s father had been a bit out of sorts since fainting last night.
I’ll ask dad what he knows.
Cecily remembered that she had discussed something with Greta before leaving for the village, but she also had the faint recollection that she had talked to Sewell about something too.
Why can’t I remember? It wasn’t that long ago and they’re my own memories, so why is my mind so foggy?
Cecily grew more frustrated the more she thought on it. She let out a sigh, but in the next moment had bumped into Cain’s back. Her nose throbbed.
“Ow... Hm, Cain?”
She peered in front of him to see the reason he had stopped so suddenly, and noticed Zeke standing in front of the door to her home.
Lost in her thoughts, Cecily had been simply looking at the ground as she walked, and hadn’t noticed him. Shock ran through her body—she immediately looked away from Zeke to glance at Cain.
“Why, if it isn’t Mr. Knight. What’re you doing in front of the Rampses’ house? You’re acting like a stalker if you ask me,” Cain said in a mocking tone, smiling wryly.
Zeke replied, standing there without moving a muscle. “I was waiting for you to come back.”
Cain let out a noise of disinterest as he looked up at Zeke. “My, you look tired. Did you not catch a wink last night?”
“There’s no reason for you to be worrying about me.”
Cain’s comment had hit the mark, but Zeke had no obligation to explain himself, so he evaded the question.
When Charlotte had asked about Zeke this morning, Alphonse had lied. In truth, Zeke hadn’t returned to his room all night. After leaving the assembly hall, Zeke had headed to the outskirts of the village and spent the whole night swinging his blade.
This couldn’t even remotely have been called training—he was merely punishing his muscles. If he hadn’t focused all his efforts on moving his body, he wouldn’t have been able to keep his cool.
“I hear you’re quite the genius, Cain.”
“Now this makes my skin crawl. Have you decided to shower me with praise, then?”
Zeke shook his head. “I was told that the love potion has no antidote. However...” He paused. “I expect someone like yourself would be able to make one.”
“Aha, I see,” Cain replied. “You are quite the earnest one, Mr. Knight. So that’s what brings you waltzing up to Cecily’s door.”
“If you so wish it, I shall get on my knees and beg,” Zeke said, refusing to budge, an insolent air about him.
Cain turned around to look at Cecily, who was standing behind him. The pair of them were holding hands as they stared at one another, and Zeke bit his lip in frustration.
“I wouldn’t mind watching you grovel in the dirt, but unfortunately, the love potion has no antidote.”
“What did you say?” Zeke was in utter shock. Cain, on the other hand, cackled with a voice full of malice.
“Didn’t you hear the witches of the village talk about me? My magic is so powerful that I spent the last ten years learning how to control it. And you see, I poured every last drop of my magical powers into the love potion I gave to Cecily. It’s not something that will simply wear off after a few days, or even a few months.”
A deep crease cut through Zeke’s brow as he listened to Cain yammer on.
“How dare you...? Enough with the jokes.”
Cecily could only watch as the pair continued their exchange—something was off.
What’s happening?
Cecily placed a hand to her ear. Yes, her ears were working fine.
So why is it that I can’t properly hear what they’re saying?
It was strange. Every time either of them said something, their words lacked form or shape. Before Cecily could understand what they’d said, the words had already flitted out of her reach.
It scared her. The fact that this could be happening filled her with dread. Fear made her words die in her throat. All she could do was stand in silence and let the conversation she couldn’t properly understand wash over her.
“That’s not all. Once it eventually wears off on its own accord, I can simply get Cecily to drink another one. That way, she’ll love me for the rest of my life.”
“You absolute cur... Are you out of your mind?”
“Not at all. I just love Cecily.”
Cecily was able to hear the last thing Cain said—he said he loved her. Cecily’s cheeks flushed by impulse. She couldn’t help it. Anyone would be happy if the one they loved said they loved them in return. Or at least, that was how it should’ve been.
However, when she looked up, Zeke came into sight. Zeke’s face was twisted in pain, as if he had been betrayed, but when he caught Cecily’s eye he immediately looked away.
Cecily didn’t understand why.
Why did he look so pained when he looked at me?
She could have understood if his expression had been one of exasperation. After all, it was the height of brazenness to say such sweet nothings to one’s lover in front of someone else.
However, Zeke’s expression clearly contained pain. Just like yesterday. He had truly looked full of pain when he left the party last night. To Cecily, it looked like he was on the verge of tears. She had been unable to chase after him when he had walked off—and the reason for that was that Cecily had been the one who had caused him such pain.
Cecily had protected Cain, and that had pained Zeke.
But why?
“What’s with that guy? Seriously. He’s been bugging us ever since yesterday. A normal human should hurry up and just leave our village,” Cain spat, with a disgruntled expression.